00:00As developments continue in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine officials are keeping their eyes on the prize,
00:05upholding the country's sovereign rights under international law while strengthening national defense and transparency efforts.
00:12From unity at home to vigilance at sea, the government says it is standing firm and leaving nothing to chance
00:19in protecting the nation's interests.
00:21Our Patrick de Jesus tells us more.
00:26Instead of debating the West Philippine Sea, the National Maritime Council believes it is better to unite as Filipinos to
00:34defend the country's rights and interests, according to the NMC.
00:39All the steps currently being taken by the government are in accordance with international law, which defines the Philippines' maritime
00:47rights.
00:47Ang soberania or sovereignty and sovereign rights natin, it's not up for debate.
00:53The international law has already ruled on it na kung anong meron tayo.
01:00Wala tayong makukuha ang magandang patutunguhan nito kasi it will only provide more yung kalituhan sa ating mga kababayan.
01:18The NMC also acknowledges the widespread information activities on social media aimed at spreading propaganda.
01:27This, however, they are countering with facts about what is happening at sea.
01:33Pinakamabisang panlaban sa disinformation ay hindi pananahimik.
01:38Dinagawa natin ito sa tinatawag natin yung transparency initiative.
01:43Kaya kapag malinaw ang facts na nasabi natin, hindi basta-basta uubra ang mga propaganda o mga kasinulingan na narinig
01:53natin sa ibang mga sources.
01:54The NMC also supports the idea that appointed or elected government officials should visit the West Philippine Sea.
02:02Kasi, unfortunately, hindi kasi nila masyado na-appreciate yung sitwasyon sa ground.
02:11Ano ba ang meron doon sa, for example, sa Kalayaan Island Group, sa Pag-asa, Barangay Pag-asa o sa
02:17municipality ng Kalayaan.
02:20Teritoryo natin yun, meron mga tao doon. It is a local government unit.
02:28Pag-asa, Pag-asa, Pag-asa.
02:55They also protested the continued harassment faced by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
03:02Based on the Philippine Navy's monitoring during the first week of February, 14 China Coast Guard and PLA Navy ships
03:09were sited in the West Philippine Sea, lower compared to more than 40 recorded in the last week of January.
03:17Meanwhile, two years into the implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept or CAD-C, the Armed Forces of the
03:25Philippines says improvements are ongoing to ensure protection against all security threats to the country.
03:32It is still a long way to go, but we have laid down the foundations for that, and I would
03:38like to say that the Armed Forces is on the right track when it comes to preparing our capability for
03:45external defense.
03:46Part of the CAD-C is also to look at how to protect the organization from within, and I'm referring
03:51to foreign malign influence and intervention.
03:53Patrick Dezos from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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